Johnson's 400m world record named 6th Greatest Moment

INDIANAPOLIS - Michael Johnson breaking the men's 400m world outdoor record in 1999 was honored by USA Track & Field on Monday as the sixth-greatest moment in U.S. track and field history in the last 25 years.

To help mark the 25th anniversary of USA Track & Field, fans joined USATF in selecting the Top 25 Moments in American Track & Field during the past quarter century. Fans voted for what they consider to be the top moments in the sports of track & field, long-distance running, and race walking by voting online at USATF's website, www.usatf.org.

The dominant 400m runner for a decade leading up to the 1999 World Outdoor Championships in Seville, Spain, Michael Johnson entered the worlds after pulling up in Stockholm a month earlier, which left questions about his fitness.

Despite all that, Johnson arrived in Seville in the best 400-meter shape of his life and on a mission to make history. He easily advanced in his opening round heat, sauntering across the finish line in 45.35 seconds, before leaving a hint of what was to come when he strolled across the line in his semifinal in 43.95.

The stadium in Seville was filled with anticipation prior to the final as Johnson took his place in the lane five blocks. Johnson was in command from the beginning of the race and posted an astonishing 11.52 split in the final 100 meters to win the gold medal in the world record time of 43.18 seconds. Johnson's time was an astonishing .11 second faster than Butch Reynolds' 11-year-old WR.

Johnson's winning margin over runner-up Sanderlei Parrela of Brazil (44.29) was the widest ever in a world or Olympic 400m final. His victory brought his total of world titles to eight, equaling Carl Lewis' all-time record. Johnson would later add his ninth career world championships gold medal in the 4x400m relay three days after his 400m triumph.

Suggestions for USATF's Top 25 Moments were taken through February 22, 2004. Fans voted for their favorite moments beginning February 28 and ending on June 20. The Top 25 Moments will be announced in reverse order, one per week, leading up to the USATF Annual Meeting in December, where the top three moments will be revealed.

For more information on USATF's Top 25 Moments, visit www.usatf.org.

USATF Top 25 Moments

25. Jackie Joyner-Kersee breaks 7,000-point barrier in the heptathlon.

24. Khalid Khannouchi sets men's world marathon record in 2002.

23. Alan Webb sets U.S. boys' high school mile record.

22. Kevin Young breaks Edwin Moses' world record.

21. Lynn Jennings wins third World Cross Country title.

20. Alberto Salazar wins third consecutive New York City Marathon.

19. Flo-Jo sets women's 200m world record.

18. Gail Devers successfully defends Olympic 100m women's title.

17. Evelyn Ashford defeats two world record holders at 1979 World Cup.

16. Michael Carter sets national prep shot put record.

15. Valerie Brisco wins three gold medals at 1984 Olympic Games.

14. Stacy Dragila wins first ever women's Olympic pole vault.

13. Maurice Greene wins double sprint gold at 1999 World Outdoors

12. Decker wins two gold medals at 1983 World Outdoor Championships

11. Batten, Buford better world record at 1995 World Outdoor Championships

10. Flo-Jo shatters 100m world record

9. JJK breaks heptathlon world record at 1988 Olympic Games

8. Lewis wins fourth consecutive Olympic long jump gold medal

7. Jones wins five medals, three of them gold, at 2000 Olympic Games

6. Johnson breaks 400m world record